Essential staff told to evacuate as fire nears Fort Providence

Essential staff were told to leave Fort Providence early on Monday morning as a wildfire moved closer to the community.

A public safety bulletin issued after midnight advised all residents of Fort Providence as well as emergency and essential personal to leave immediately.

“The area has an immediate threat due to a wildfire and is not safe,” the bulletin stated.

At 1:15am on Monday, NWT Fire said wildfire SS014 had moved to within 1km of Fort Providence due to wind coming primarily from the northeast. It said the fire was continuing to approach the community’s southeast edge.

Some essential workers were being evacuated but firefighters remained in the community, NWT Fire said.

Fort Providence Mayor Danny Beaulieu told Cabin Radio after 9am on Monday morning that the fire had not reached the community.

“It was a little bit exciting for awhile but it turned out good and in the community’s favour,” he said.

Health centre closes

In a public notice around 11:20am on Monday, the NWT Health and Social Services Authority announced that the health centre in Fort Providence had closed.

It said a mobile paramedic service in the community would be available to address basic health needs and support first responders.

“This team will remain on site as long as conditions permit but may be withdrawn at any moment if safety becomes a concern,” the health authority stated, adding that emergency services staff could be reached by radio in the event of a communication outage.

The health authority also advised residents to prioritize their mental health.

“It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed, your feelings are valid,” it stated, adding that support is available.

Evacuees ‘getting the royal treatment’

A reception centre has been set up in Hay River and several businesses in the town are offering discounts and other supports to evacuees from Fort Providence.

The City of Yellowknife has advised Fort Providence residents who are stranded in the city to register at the reception centre at Yellowknife’s fieldhouse.

Fort Providence has helped thousands of residents who were evacuated from other communities in recent years.

Now Beaulieu said Fort Providence evacuees are “getting the royal treatment” from Hay River.

“It’s excellent,” he said.

“I talked to the deputy mayor this morning and people are happy, they’re comfortable. They’re just worried about their dogs.”

Beaulieu said dogs that remain in Fort Providence are “well taken care of” and senior administrative officer Susan Christie has been feeding them.

Vince McKay, the MLA for Hay River South, in a post on Facebook Monday morning, praised the town for setting up a recreation centre within hours.

“I am proud of our community and how we’ve stood up through everything we’ve faced,” he wrote.

McKay also thanked United Way NWT for helping Hay River and residents of Fort Providence with financial assistance.

More favourable forecast for Monday

Wildfire information officer Mike Westwick told Cabin Radio around 10am on Monday that fire SS014 was about 900m from the southeastern edge Fort Providence.

He said more favourable southeasterly winds are expected Monday alongside cooler temperatures.

“It should give us the opportunity to strategically attack directly parts of that line … if that forecast pans out and the smoke clears out enough for us to use machines out there,” he said.

“There’s still a lot of fire front to deal with right on Fort Providence’s doorstep and we’ll be working to contain what we can there to prevent growth towards Fort Providence and continue to maintain and strengthen community protection measures in place.”

In an update on Monday afternoon, NWT Fire said a strategic direct attack on some sections of the active fire front would involve crews and heavy equipment.

It said heavy equipment is also working to remove fuel directly along the fire’s southeast flank and that good progress has been made.

Earlier on Monday, NWT Fire said structure protection specialists continue to run water canons and sprinklers while firefighters were wetting down the forest around the access road to Fort Providence.

Westwick said with Monday’s forecast, the wildfire agency hopes that smoke will clear out allowing aircraft to make water drops to reduce the fire’s intensity. He said visibility has been “extremely poor” making it “highly unsafe” for pilots to operate, particularly with ground crews working in the area.

Clarification: September 1, 2025 – 10:47 MT. This story initially stated wildfire SS014 had grown to 900km from Fort Providence, when it was 900m from the community.